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TAKE ON ME

​Logline: When a Production Assistant returns home, he's embraced by his lover's warm & confusing embrace.

Take on Me: Welcome
Take on Me: Welcome

Behind the Scenes

After graduating from University, I was uncertain with my film career. During my time as a student, I did not directed any of my own shorts and only assisted on others. About a year after graduating, I continued to learn more about filmmaking that was not taught by my professors. In April 27 2017, I served as a free agent in my first 48 Hour Film Festival, where I met my first mentor - Paul Aspuria. I would take what he learned and apply it to my own 48 Hr Project the following year.

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As the date for the 2018 48 Hr approached, I made the decision to enter my own team after encouragement from my mentors. In the days leading up to the production, I began preparing as much as possible prior to the kick-off. This included finding production hands, picking a location, planning meals, and collecting equipment needed for the project. I recruited some of my closest friends & found new collaborators.

After receiving the elements for the 48 Hr project, I was very motivated to explore a concept that I had back in College, body pillow love interests. To some, this idea sounds really foolish and weird. However, the idea was heavily influenced for my love for Anime & Japanese Culture. All over the world, there are people who will withdraw themselves from reality and completely dedicate themselves and substitute intimacy for body pillow worship. In Japan origin, the term 'Neet' is used to describe these people. In the U.S, it is mocked but also celebrated with the Anime communities as men & women will worship their 'Waifu' or 'Husbanado' (A fictional character from an entertainment medium that people will adore mockingly).

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Production began on June 16, 2018 - from 9 AM and ended at 11 PM. The process was grueling and a huge learning curve for me. Earlier that day, my team had shot a great deal of footage that never made it into the final cut. I was feeling the pressure as I experienced fatigue. However, my group pulled me through, and I turned in the film on time.

The film premiered on June 29, 2018 at 3 Below Cinema. The film was fairly well received, but it did not win any accolades. The film did not end finish there. On December 15, 2018, I finished re-editing the film and had begun submitting it to other film festivals. The new version premiered at the Poppy Jasper Film Festival on April 3rd, 2019.

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Take on Me: News
Take on Me: Gallery
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CAST & CREW

  • Bobby Kwong, Director/Editor/Writer/Producer

  • Roy Sandoval, Assistant-to-Director

  • Harrison Segal, Director of Photography

  • Amaobi Ajawara, Sound Operator

  • Vladimir Ponomarev, Gaffer

  • J-Kai Hsu, Actor - Randy

  • Alicia Mueller, Actress - Rey

  • Kaylyn Phu, Actress

  • Gregory Yee, Production Assistant

  • Deanna Shinsky, Production Assistant

  • Pankaj Bongale, Grip

  • Jihoon Yoon, Grip

  • Hanna Leonard, Art Production Assistant

Take on Me: About
Big Theater

FILM FESTIVAL CIRCULATION

  • 48 Hr Film Festival San Jose, 2018

    • Official Entry

  • Poppy Jasper Film Festival, 2019

    • Local Night Official Selection​

  • Azure Lorica Aware Festival, 2019

    • Online Film Festival Entry w/ Public Screening in Pasadena

    • FINALIST

Take on Me: About

PRESS KIT

Take on Me: About
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